In the digital world the “one size fits all” concept is simply wrong. When you have a digital network, you simply don’t do a country-wide promotion like you might in a catalog (where all of the “best” items typically have the best placement because you know for sure they will sell well). What we found to be productive was to run specific local promotions with our first-tier items, mixed in with promotions for some of our lesser-selling items (which tended to have a lot of excess inventory). Even better was when we would change our promotions on specific days, weeks or months based on past data about the kinds of shoppers who would be in our stores at the time. For example, the people buying a high-end beauty product around the holidays may have been doing so for a gift, whereas those that bought the same product mid-year were more likely buying it for themselves.

Another benefit of digital signage is the speed it brings to your internal workflow and distribution. When you only have traditional signage to promote your products, the workflow of that system is really slow. In your best scenario, your September catalog has to be at the printers by July to allow enough time to print and deliver it. This means your promotions for September have to be designed and defined somewhere around May. Where is the “opportunity” there? With a digital network you can build your promotions for September even one week or one day before the month starts. Imagine you have a beautiful raincoat in your September catalog, but this year turns out to be particularly warm and dry. Your printed catalog’s advertisement is worthless. With digital ads, on the other hand, you can continue to promote summer clothing until the first drop of rain appears (whenever that happens). Just like the guys in New York City that pop up out of nowhere with umbrellas when it starts to rain, digital signage has the ability to be on time with the right message when needed — and advertisers are willing to pay some premium for that advantage.

To learn more about how digital signage can help your business or how Muzak can help you turn agility into one of your brand’s strengths visit www.muzak.com/enhanceyourbrand and sign up for our free upcoming webinar.

Yeah, that never happens to us. At least, not in the messaging world! We always have something to say and THAT is good for your business!

So, why don’t we help you start a conversation with your clients? Send us a couple of your, “Huh, I didn’t know you did that!” products or services and we’ll whip up a sparkly new ad or two that reminds people to ask you about your personalized, light-up disco balls!

You see, when you use your client’s time to let them know about your unique products and services, THEY will start conversations with YOU . . . no “ums” about it! This helps you build a relationship that will lead to referrals and valuable sales.

Spotlight’s on you! What would you like your customers to ask about today?

Dish Network’s recently released commercial television programming options make them the first pay-TV providers to eliminate offering unwanted or unwatched channels. These offerings are being seen as a first step to a more ‘a la carte’ model. Subscribers can choose from very small programming packages thus saving them money. They are simply no longer paying for channels that they would never watch.

This is an exciting approach that will probably be emulated by other pay-TV providers. As a Dish Network retailer Muzak has been very pleased with having the ability to offer our clients and prospects the best value in the marketplace today. It has been especially effective in reducing costs in the Private sector, such as retail, financial and general offices. In these environments they typically only watch a handful of channels at most. So to be able to offer a client all of their local channels and a single inexpensive add-on package has been a very welcomed change.

With every kind of media imaginable available at our fingertips 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, we have the ability to create personal and public playlists through our computers and smart phones. And, let’s face it – that mix you made for your restaurant’s happy hour is pretty good. You also love listening to Pandora. Hey, all you have to do is type in your favorite artist and, BAM, quick and easy playlist for your listening enjoyment (in the comfort of your own home that is). However, when you plug your iPod into the company’s speaker system, you are putting yourself out there for more than getting compliments on your set list. There are real legal ramifications for playing original artists’ music in a public space! You will have ASCAP, BMI and SESAC knocking on your restaurant door, asking for some pretty hefty fees – and rightfully so! If you were a musician, wouldn’t you want to get paid? Thought so – especially due to that slammin’ playlist you just created.

Since the liabilities are high, why not obtain playlists legally – from Muzak? We have a team of dedicated programmers who create premium, customizable and full-custom programs (or playlists, however you want to look at it) for small business owners just like you. When is the last time you walked into a store or restaurant and heard complete silence? Think about it again. There’s more value in music than just creating some white noise. It’s an experience. And when it’s legal, it can really be enjoyable! Leave the heavy lifting to us as far as business music is concerned so you can focus on … well … your business.

Statistically speaking, viewers will be about twice as likely to remember the first and last items of our list compared to the ones in the middle, assuming that they actually see the entire list of items. Additionally, since the recency effect usually trumps the primacy effect, our most important message should go at the end. This gives it a slightly better chance of being recalled than the first item. In other words, the first and last message in a list will have the best recall, but last typically beats first. Introduce the first item on the list at a slower speed, and leave enough time at the end for people to remember the last item. If possible, choose your two best messages and get rid of the rest.

Hey there. I’m Joe. I like to help businesses connect with their customers through the use of digital signage and other in-store media solutions. I’m a real person. In this new world of social media, the way you interact and communicate with your customers is changing every day. Keep that in mind when you create messaging for your digital signage campaigns. Humanizing your brand makes your business accessible and builds deep connections that lead to happy, loyal customers. Are you involved in your local community? Do you sponsor a local little league team? Where did you get your PhD? Traditional sterile marketing messages deliver nice, clean, boring results in the new world of tweets and ‘likes’. So open up, you might be surprised to find that your customers are real people too!

If you dare, dive in to the pool of research surrounding accent. Google will spit out thousands of studies on the influence and interpretation of language variation dating as far back as it took someone to notice, “Hey, y’all talk funny.”

So, what does this mean for your business?

It means the door just opened a little wider in regards to the myriad ways you can, literally, speak your business! Need to throw a little sophistication in the mix? How about French? What about sex appeal? Italian. Perhaps you want your brand to be seen as distinguished? British.

Muzak Voice has unlimited access to the best voice talents in the business. So, if you want someone who sounds like they grew up in East Somalia, we’ve got you covered.

Of course, there are plenty of viable options for attitude and influence right here in the good ol’ US of A. Want to be seen as fact-driven and fast moving? Look to the New Englanders! Do you want to be seen as kind, easy-going, friendly and approachable? Let the Southerners speak a spell! Want something that’s accepted across the board? Call in the Mid-Westerners.

And while we count the positives, there are also plenty of negatives, as well. Ultimately, though, the decision is yours. So, log on to voice.muzak.com to listen in on some of our talents. Then consider how you want to present your business. After all, it’s not just what you say, but HOW you say it. How can Muzak Voice help you speak your business?

Think about your best cocktail party conversation ever. I’m willing to bet it wasn’t the one where the object of your chatter dominated the air and talked all about how great they were!

When it comes to your messaging program, the cocktail convo concept is a first cousin. So, the caller, the object of your airtime, doesn’t want to hear all about you!

So, if you’re a doctor, go ahead and tell us where you went to school, but make it relevant TO a patient. Your caller wants to know that XYZ University specializes in training internists . . . unless, of course, you’re an orthopedist!

You could just skip the “me” talk altogether and use your expertise to give clients, patients and customers information they can use. Hand out tips like Halloween candies. Play trivia games. Give fashion advice. Direct traffic to your website for money-saving coupons. Make your callers’ time on hold of value by passing out useful information.

Whatever course you take, keep it customer-centric. Tell the world how your business can make THEIR lives better, how your services can enhance THEIR lifestyle, how you have something to offer THEM.

After all, as disheartening as the news is, it’s NOT all about you. Sadly, it’s not all about me, either! It’s about the client. Now what else can we do to make the “their-ness” of it all more enjoyable?

If you would like more information about on-hold messaging visit our Voice page or tell us what we can help you with.

You love your customers. You want to keep them informed about your business and how you can help them. You have a lot to say. It’s tempting to pack as much information as possible on one screen. Don’t try to do too much. You don’t have time, and your audience shouldn’t have to make an effort to figure it out. A nice, LARGE image or graphic and a simple call to action will get your message across and drive results for your digital signage.

For more information on how digital signage can help your business visit our DS page on www.muzak.com.

The environment of your business is always changing. Your music should reflect and even influence that ambiance. It’s the difference between a casual lunch and a livelier happy hour. Opening a new business account on Tuesdays and cashing that Friday paycheck. The business traveler checking in for a conference and a young couple on a romantic getaway. Adjust your music to set the mood for your customers in the appropriate context of your business. They’ll take notice and connect with your brand on a deeper personal level. And that’s something you can’t put a price tag on.